January 18, 2011

Our Mail Organization System

The mail always seems to be a problem in our house.  Like Newman rants, “the mail never stops. It just keeps coming and coming and coming…”


It’s easy to toss the mail we don’t need into the recycling bin, but the mail we want to hang onto always seems to pile up in the kitchen with nowhere to go.  Over the summer, I picked up this wire wall pocket and used it as a spot to stash mail we want to keep.

wall_pocket

This system worked pretty well, but the hanging wall file wasn’t really large enough for us.  What I was really dreaming about is Pottery Barn’s Daily System:

pottery_barn_daily_system

Or Ballard Design’s wood wall pockets:

ballard_designs_wood_wall_pockets

But I didn’t want to shell out over $50 for either of these systems.  Well, I nearly fainted when I went to Ross and in the home section found a knock-off of the Pottery Barn system on clearance for $17!  I couldn’t believe my luck!  I now have the male mail of my dreams (my Hubby already has the first part covered!)

My knock-off mail organization system has two wooden wall pockets and a magnetic white board.  It’s hung on rod just like the Pottery Barn system.

mail_organization_system

Rob and I each have our own pocket to stash our magazines and other mail.  On the marker board, we’ve been jotting down our to-dos and reminders for appointments and when household bills are due.  The marker board is magnetic too, so we can clip important items right where we’re sure to see them.

The mail always accumulated in the kitchen, so we hung our new mail organization system by our back door in the kitchen.  We’re constantly letting the puppy outside through that door, so we’re sure to see any important reminders written or pinned to the white board.

mail_organizer_pockets

I am totally in love with our mail organization system!  It is helping to keep our kitchen free from paper clutter, but still lets us keep important mail at our fingertips.  It’s the best $17 I’ve spent in a long time!

Do you have a system to keep your mail organized?

P.S. Don't forget to enter in this week's giveaway!

This project is featured on Beneath My Heart, I Heart Organizing, stop by to see the other great project that are featured too!

12 comments:

danae said...

i also drool over the pottery barn organizers, & i am so jealous for you that you found this! great job!

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

Love it! Can't believe you got that for only $17.00! And the black is so classy.
Thanks for linking up to my party!
Blessings,
Traci

{darlene} said...

excellent find!!! I love the look of the crisp black against your walls.

This is how we organize our mail. It works for us!:
http://www.fieldstonehilldesign.com/2010/11/beautiful-practicality-in-boxes-in.html

-{darlene}

Mrs. Pie said...

I just stumbled in here for the first time looking for mail organization solution. I too have been drooling over the PB system and I am sooo jealous of your find! Do you know what brand it is? I want to try to find one online! We dont have Ross's here in Ohio...
Thanks!
kelly

Kathy said...

I love that! We're the same way... way too much "stuff" that needs to be organized! I found a similar layout (w/o the dry erase board) at a yard sale for $4. Sold!

Becky@Organizing Made Fun said...

Oh, that's a really cute system! I have not noticed that at Ross! You must've been super excited to find that - I would have! Great job keeping your mail organized!

Becky B.
www.organizingmadefun.blogspot.com
Organizing Made Fun

lindsay @ a design story said...

LOVE THIS. I too love the pottery abrn organizing wall systems.. so expensive though. Great eye, great deal!!

Keep up the good work organizing!!Thanks again for linking up friend!

Lindsay @ A Design Story

Sandy Jenney - Organize with Sandy said...

It looks great. I also LOVE Pottery Barn's organizing system. Peter Walsh has one at Office Max that is very similar and not too expensive. But it sure wouldn't be your deal.
I have been doing a series on offices, and mail is one that I did. I'd love if you would link this up to my Organizing Mission link party.
I know my readers would like to see it.
Oh.. I found you on I heart Organizing

Sharisse said...

Oh wow! You are my superhero, I was just about to shell out over $200 for the Pottery Barn daily system had I not seen your blog. I am going to look in the Ross store by me and see if they have the same thing. Would love it in white but I could probably paint it over for that price. Thanks!

IHeart Organizing said...

Wahoo! Such a great find! Good work girl!

Sending you virtual high fives for taking on this project, and many thanks for sharing your story and linking up!

xoxo,
Jen

Charie said...

Everybody, I've been searching for a PB alternative for the last few days. Here's a link for the same item at BBB. It's not as cheap, but you don't have to spend time searching for it at Ross. Plus use the store locator to find one in store to save on shipping.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=119632

Jenny @ DIY Newlyweds said...

Charie, great find! It looks like the BB&B organizers are on sale and there are a lot of options. One of them looks identical to the one I have, I wonder if they are the same brand. Thanks for sharing this great deal!